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Stadtlohn is a city in the north-west of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, part of the district Borken. It has an area of 79,06 km² (at 51°59,7' North, 6°55,1' East) and a population of 20,560 (March 31, 2004). The Berkel river flows through it on its way to the Netherlands.
History
Lohn was founded by Liudger the first Bishop of Münster about the year 800. About 985 Gescher was split form Lohn. In 1231 Lohn spilt into Südlohn (literally "South-Lohn") and Nordlohn (literally "North-Lohn"). The name Stadtlohn (literally "City-Lohn") is first mentioned in 1389 after the small town Nordlohn was secured by a moat, a defensive wall and gates and gained the city rights. About 1406 Stadtlohn was burned down by Count Heinrich I. of Solms-Ottenstein because he feuded with the bishof of Münster. Bishop Heinrich III. of Münster verified its city rights in 1491.
In 1584 Stadtlohn was pillaged by Ernest, Duke of Bavaria's troops and again in 1588 by Dutch soldiers. In 1591 Spanish soldiers attacked the city while for a few months of 1598 Spanish troops were stationed in the city during Spain's war with the Netherlands. In 1611 a serious fire destroyed 225 of 235 houses.
On August 6, 1623 during the Thirty Years' War the Battle of Stadtlohn (German: Schlacht im Lohner Brook) saw Johan Tzerclaes, Count of Tilly's imperial troops victorious over Duke Christian of Brunswick's men. About 6.000 soldiers died that day. In 1742 regular pilgrimages started to a statue of Mary in a small chapel in Stadtlohn form various towns in the Münsterland. The adoration of the virgin Mary ended in 1886 when the statue was stolen form the Hilgenbergchapel.
In March 1945 towards the end of World War II, Stadtlohn was hit by massive allied airstrikes that almost destroyed the entire city. On March 31, 1945 British forces marched into the city.
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